Crack of the Bat

by Blaine Clemmens

 

Narrow Minded Outlook

 

Recently I approached a baseball friend of mine regarding getting some of his players involved in Perfect Game events.  Historically his area of the country has not had many players get out on the showcase circuit or even had teams travel to compete against teams outside that region (which I will keep anonymous).  What he had to tell me in response was very eye opening.  Without prompting him, here is what he had to say…

 

“There is a considerable approach to baseball here that keeps most of our players inside the valleys and within our state boundaries.  A number of parents and coaches work past this but mostly our players are not exposed to competition beyond their area which puts a cap on where they see themselves in the game.

 

Good players who could advance even more are apt not to be encouraged to improve as they are in the top percentage of what we have.  Other players desire to play at the game rather than to learn the game.  Encouragement in any form is considered harassment rather than constructive information.”

 

In my opinion, it seems that today’s young people are more coddled by parents than they were in past generations.  That has even trickled down into the coaching ranks where coaches that are actually coaching get scorned by parents that feel the coaches are being too hard on their sons.  Fewer and fewer players seem to want to work at and learn the game of baseball when the game becomes difficult, or when their talent alone does not outdistance them from their peers.  From my friend’s point of view, the players in his area have the following outlook…

 

“ ‘Why should I spend more time working on things that I don't do well when I am in the top percentage of my league.  Besides, I should work on what I do well so as to polish that and it is much more enjoyable hearing how well I already do this!  Listening to someone work with me on improving a weak area isn't as much fun.  After all, baseball is supposed to be FUN!’ “

 

My friend went on to say, “The work ethic is less that satisfactory here.  Mom's and dad's want their players to succeed but without having to put in the effort to succeed.”

 

In my original email to my friend regarding getting more players in his area involved with Perfect Game, some at the pre-HS age, I mentioned the value and benefit that Perfect Game has for players.  I mentioned that by exposing the young players to PG early on in their development, those players would, at an earlier age, understand what is out there for them, in terms of how to gain recognition and exposure to the largest audience possible.  There are many areas of the nation where the coaches, players, and parents are simply not aware enough of what we do and how that benefits the players.  My friend’s response was…

 

“Perhaps Perfect Game could assist players in understanding what is “Out There.”  We certainly need to inform those interested in moving forward.  How Perfect Game fits into the picture is important to the development of our players.  Changing the approach of players and parents is important to the success of the players.  What with the ‘Feel Good’ attitude of our schools and society getting players to put in effort is beyond the reach of the current mental positioning.  We also have a number of individuals who are content in working their personal operations to enhance their person and funds but at the expense of actually forwarding baseball opportunity for the player(s) involved.”

 

That last part is also very interesting to consider, but I suppose it is best left for another article dedicated to that subject.  After businesses like Perfect Game all became successful at one time or another, there has been a rapid development of many baseball-only businesses, some good,  some great, some terrible. 

 

Finally, my friend concluded that, “The answer to your question is somewhat difficult as perhaps we haven't developed the correct avenue(s) of opportunity in our area thus far.  Perfect Game is an idea that deserves investigation.”

 

That last sentence is a good one; it is an example of being open-minded.  Our goal is not to shout from the mountain tops about how great Perfect Game is.  We hope that players will experience what we have to offer them and their future at least once, maybe early in their development. 

 

From there we feel confident that players and their families will understand that as they develop as prospects either for the college or professional level, Perfect Game will be there for them as an avenue to show the baseball community what they can do… at a showcase, in a tournament, via a scouting report, on BaseballWebTV.com, in the numerous ways we are there for the players.

 

This column represents the thoughts and opinions of the author and are not necessarily those of Perfect Game.